Deputy CM seeks details on misuse of MGNREGA fund

The reported misappropriation of funds in the implementation of Union Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s  programme Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the state was pertaining to the year of 2008-2009, said Deputy Chief Minister and the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayath Raj and Revenue K S Eshwarappa here on Monday.

He added that he had sought a detailed report from each districts on the reported misuse of the MGNREGA funds.

“The main crux of the misappropriation of funds which occurred during 2008-09 was pertaining to nonpayment of wages to the beneficiaries,” he said.

According to him, misappropriation of MGNREGA was also confirmed by a third party inspection report which is now with the state government for perusal.

It may be recalled that Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh in a letter to Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar mentioned  the mismanagement of MRNREGA to the tune of over `600 crore.

Shobha Karandlaje was the minister for Rural Development and Panchayath Raj Department during 2008-09.

Shettar, who was also minister of Rural Development and the Panchayath earlier had admitted to the charges of misappropriation of funds in the scheme and said that an investigations are being conducted at three different levels.

Eshwarappa said that to streamline the implementation of the MGNREGA, which has been enhanced from 100 days of employment in a year to 150, the state government has taken measures to recruit over 1,400 engineering staff and 5,600 data entry operators at the Nemmadi Kendras.

Enrolment in BJP

Referring to  former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa’s outburst, Eshwarappa said, “I enjoy more affection from him (Yeddyurappa) and it was reflected in his remarks on me.” Earlier, Yeddyurappa had demanded Eshwarappa’s resignation for the post of state party president.

According to Eshwarappa, however, despite everything the response to the enrolment of membership for the party has received an overwhelming response. “Over 15.50 lakh new members registered with the party during the enrolment campaign concluded recently,” he said.

However, he denied that that the enrolment of new members was done on the lines of loyalty to  party leaders, including Yeddyurappa, Sadananda Gowda and Jagadish Shettar.